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Washington DC

Well we just spent a fabulous twelve days in DC. Since it was our first Potomac adventure we enjoyed the long, 95 mile run from the mouth of the river and ending at the Capital Yacht Club. The yacht club is a very funky marina just a short walk from the national mall. It’s situated on the “Washington Channel”, a gritty waterfront area with two other marinas and a spectacular seafood market. The area is in need of a major facelift and according to the folks at CYC one is in the works. When it will start is another matter with no firm answer. We loved the area and would return often if not for the 95 mile Potomac run. Andrew met us the first night as he had never seen Big Smile despite us owning it for a year and a half.

Andrew’s first visit to Big Smile

Our DC visit was perfect. The weather cooperated fully with no rain and cooler, drier conditions not typical of DC in August. The first weekend of our visit we borrowed Andrew’s car and drove to VT for the wedding of our Lake George neighbors daughter. It was held in Shelburne VT overlooking Lake Champlain. The brides were gorgeous as was the weather.

Katie and Tracy’s wedding

After an all day drive back from VT we spent the balance of the week visiting museums and walking the mall. It had been years since we spent any time in DC and it all seemed new. The first museum we visited did not exist when I last visited. The Marine Corps museum is actually located in Quantico VA. We figured a couple hour visit then back to DC. We ended up getting shown the door when the place locked up at 5PM. We had spent 5 hours and not completed it. If you are into history this is a must visit.

USMC Museum

There are of course many museums to see and most are free. We visited the Smithsonian’s, Air & Space, American History and Natural History Museums. We also got to see the US Holocaust Museum, the US National Arboretum and the Newseum.

Smithsonian Institution Building “The Castle”

Jefferson Memorial

The White House

Julia Childs kitchen

One building really made an impression and that was the Library of Congress. A stunning architectural masterpiece.

Library of Congress

A special person in our life currently lives in Silver Spring, MD. We drove up to see Joycelyn and had a delicious dinner. What else would you expect. She is the best. It was fun to see her in her new house.

Cath and Joycelyn

Andrew took two days off from work and joined us onboard. We carry folding bikes and Andrew has a superb road and mountain bike so we spent a day cycling to Alexandria VA. The historic area contains incredible examples of early American architecture including the narrowest house I had ever seen.

Look at the width of this house

Alexandria Virginia

Mitch and Tara also joined for the weekend and on Saturday morning we headed 30 miles south to anchor off a bar/restaurant and give them the experience of cruising. On the way down the Potomac we dropped the hook off Mt Vernon and spent 3 hours touring the grounds and Washington’s home. There is also a very good museum on site.

Mitch and Tara in front of Mt Vernon

Big Smile anchored off Mt Vernon

I think he likes it

Between the kids and the museums we also managed to kayak, buy fish, take long walks and really enjoy Washington. And Nicole, back from a vacation in Italy joined us for dinner onboard.